Radio-frequency switch assembly



June 22, 1948. H. D. MORRIS EIAL 2,443,635

' RADIO-FREQUENCY SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed June 7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. D. MORRIS EI'AL RADIO-FREQUENCY SWITCH ASSEMBLY June 22, 1 948.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June '7, 1944 INVENTORS AKA/E) a wee/5 P/f/L up ,2 1 04/60,?

June 22, 1948. H. D. MORRIS ETAL RADIO-FREQUENCY SWITCH ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June '7, 1944 June 22, 1948.

H. D. MORRIS ET AL 2,443,635

RADIO-FREQUENCY SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed June 7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2a 2 -rT' 27 INVENTORS HEN/FY D. MORE/5 BY PH/LL/F H. VUIVHOI? reamed June 22, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RADIO-FREQUENCY SWITCH ASSEMBLY um, D. Morris and Dayton,

Application-lune 1, 1944, Serial No. man 3 Claims. (01.200-4) (Granted under the act of March a, use, as

amended April 80, 1 928; 370 0. G. 757) the provision of an improved multiple contactswitch of the box type that is adapted for a rapid .and secure connecting of a plurality of high frequencycircuits in a selective manner with a minimum ratio of reflected to transmitted energy; a switch mounting a plurality of coaxial contacts capable of individual switching at either high or ultra high radio frequency; a switch selectively mounting a plurality of connectors that maintain a constant uniform line through the switch and providing optimum characteristics in radio connections; a switch adapted for the installation 01' a desired number of connectors for providing a considerable range of adaptations; a switch containing a plurality of highly efllcient connectors that are easily and simply installed; removed and repaired; a switch that is adapted for providing a desired number of releasable contacts for connecting one or more power and control circuits to a plurality of electrical devices; and a selector switch for both radio frequency as well as for control and power circuits and that may be depended upon for eillcient operation with the material conservation in the weight of wire necessary to make multiple contacts where a common source of power or control is to be selectively applied to one device at a time.

With the above and other objects in view. which will beapparent to those who are familiar with the problems involved in the selective joining of a plurality of contacts in radio work, an illustrative two pole six-throw embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein- Flg. 1 is an elevational view of the device wherein a retaining plate is partly broken away to provide a better view of a switch arm part thereof Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the radio switch assembly that is shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary portion of the back plate in section taken along the line 01' 3-4 in Phillip a. Vonsda, Ohio 2 Fig. 1, showing a jack mounted in the back plate of the device;

Fig. 4 is a partly sectioned elevation along the mid-line oi the switch arm with a cable supporting spring part thereof partly broken away;

l'ig. bis a sectional view taken along the line 5-4 in Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the plug carried by the switch arm;

" Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the open end of the plug that is shown in Fig. 6;

'Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the jack that is mounted in the back plate of the switch assembly taken along the line 88 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the open end of the jack that is shown in Fig. 8.

The radio switch that forms the subject matter of the present invention comprises a back plate I to which a retaining or cover plate 2 is secured by means of screws 3. A switch arm I is pivotally attached to the lower end of the back plate I by suitable means such as a pin 5 and moved by grasping a hand grip 8. The switch arm I carbetween its prongs.

ill

ries a contact plug that is adapted for being movably connected selectively with any one of a plurality of contact jacks that are mounted in the back plate I.

The back plate I has a pair of spaced flanges '1 extending outwardly from the lateral edges thereof. "The outer edges of the flanges I are tapped and threaded for the reception of the screws 3 thatattach the cover plate to the flanges I of the back plate I. The back plate I has a boss I that-extends outwardly from the lower end thereoi and that also is tapped and threaded for the reception of the pin 5. A- yoke 8 is joumaled upon the pin 6 and carries a bolt II extending The attached end of the switch arm 4 is journaled upon the bolt II for movement toward and away from the back plate I. The bolt I i is secured in place by. suitable means such as by a cotter pin II or the like. The back plate I is adapted for being mounted upon a wall and may be provided with a plurality of spacer bosses I2 thatpreferably are disposed at the bases of the mounting holes I3. The back plate I is also apertured for the mounting therein of a desired plurality of circuit connector jack fittings H.

Each connector Jack II that is mounted in the back plate I is provided with an attaching plate I 5 that extends outwardly from the jack fitting II and is apertured i'or the disposition of attaching screws that thread into apertures I 6 in the back plate I. Each connector Jack fitting I4 creased to provide a radially inwardly pressed clamping edge as shown for attaching an adapter II thereto. The hollow tubular adapter II has an outwardly extending flange I3 at its attached end that is disposed within and clamped by the attached end of the Jack I4. An insulating washer I 3 is disposed inwardly of and spaced from the threaded end of the Jack fitting I4 and clamped axially between a radially extending shoulder in the bore of the lack fitting I4 and the inner end of the adapter II. The outer edge of the adapter I! is threaded externally for the removable reception of an internally threaded radially end flanged nut 20 that is adapted for being rotatably mounted upon the outer end of the adapter II. The outer surfaces of both the adapter I1 and the nut 23 are preferably provided with wrench lands so that they may be rotatably secured together firmly. A splicer 2I, that has a radially outwardly projecting flange 22 between its ends is disposed inwardly of the assembly. A washer 23 is positioned against the flange 22.

The inner end of the splicer 2| makes contact with a coaxial cable outer contact copper braid 24 that is looped around the end thereof and clamped firmly against a shoulder in the bore of the adapter H by the tightening of the nut 20. An end flanged clamping sleeve 2! is also secured by the nut 20, to minimize the localized flexing of the coaxial cable that is disposed therein. An insulating cover 26 is interposed between the copper braid 24 and the sleeve 25. A copper conductor 21 is disposed inwardly of the insulation 28, extends centrally of the coaxial cable and terminates in a central contact sleeve 29 that is supported in and by the insulation washer I9.

A plug assembly is mounted in the switch arm 4 in any desired manner so that the plug assembly is adapted for mating selectively with any one of the jack assemblies that are mounted in the back plate I. Preferably the plug assembly is mounted between an expanded or flared clamp 3I part of the switch arm 4 and a mating flared clamp 32 that continues in the handle 8. The clamps 3I and 32 are secured together by suitable means such as by screws 33 or the like.

, Each plug assembl comprises an adapter 34 that is threaded externally at one end and that is externally grooved at its opposite end. A thin for a temporary connection, as preferred. Re-

silient cable supporting means, such as a spiral spring 44 or the like is secured to the switch arm 4 by having one or more expanded turns 4| abutting the free end of the clamping sleeve 33 V and clamped between the switch arm expandchamfered edge of a body portion 35 is rolled into the groove in the adapter 34 to connect the adapter 34 and the plug body portion 35 firmly together. An internally threaded end flanged nut 33 turns upon the threaded end of the adapter 34 to clamp a splicer 3I, washer 33 and clamping sleeve 39 upon an end ofa coaxial cable mounted therein as previously described for the jack assembly union with its coaxial cable. The free end of the plug body portion 35 is radially offset with respect to the remainder of the body portion and axially split so that it is' adapted for making a close wiping electrical contact against the conical inner face of the open bore of the fitting I4 toperfect an optimum electrical connection vtherebetween. A cushioning washer 43 for being engaged by the edge defining the open bore of the fitting I4 is mounted on the offset shoulder of the body-portion 33. An insulating washer M is mounted within the body portion "and is centrally apertured for mounting therein a pointed central contact 42 that is. adapted at its free end for forming an electrical connection with the central contact sleeve 23. The plug ed clamp 3I and the handle portion expanded clamp 32 or otherwise, as preferred.

The switch arm 4 is preferably yieldingly urged at all times toward the back plate I in any suitable manner, as by the use of a fiat spring 43, or the like, that is suitably mounted upon the switch arm 4 by means of a screw 41 and a bolt "and nut 43. A friction member 50 is mounted in any desired manner, as by bolts SI and nuts 52 or thelike, on the unattached end of the spring 48. The friction member 50 has any preferred form of engagement surface for making sliding contact against the inner face of the cover plate 2, as for example the curved surface shown.

Where a plurality of temporary connections are to be made and it is desired to maintain the nut 43 in its retracted position against the switch arm 4, a nut engaging flat spring 53, that is secured in place by the nut 49 on the bolt 43, carries a projection 54 that is adapted for being yieldingly seated in a dimple in a wrench land 56 on the connecting nut 43. The curved surface of the connecting nut 43 is preferably knurled as shown to provide an advantageous finger grip thereon. V

The front face of the back plate I is also provided with a plurality of stops 5'I that extend upwardly from the surface thereof and are spaced from each other in pairs a suitable distance for the snug reception of the switch arm 4 therebetween, thereby positioning the plug assembly carried by the switch arm 4 in accurate registration with each jack fitting that is mounted in the back plate I.

In the operation of the device. with a plurality of coaxial cables or other form of electrical conducting means connected with the mating plug assembly and with the jack fittings, when it is desired to make a particular connection, the handle 6 of the switch is grasped and drawn toward the operator against the yielding force of the flat spring 46. The lower end of the switch arm 4 rotates upon the pin III. The switch arm '4 is then moved across the front face of the back plate I to a desired jack fitting I4, where it is advanced toward the back plate I and the plug assembly mounted in the switch arm 4 enters into accurate registration with the desired jack fltting I4. The switch arm 4 seats between a pair of the stops 51 that project from the front side' of the back plate I to insure accuracy of registration.

Where it is desired that the connectionremainthreaded from the jack fitting I4 and returned to its former engagement with the spring I! in which position the switch arm can be moved toward the operator and then to the right or left as desired.

It is to be understood that the various parts as well as the general assembly of the device that is disclosed herein may be altered and modified for particular adaptations or for the securing of advantageous benefits therefrom without departing from the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A radio switch comprising in combination a back plate, a pair of spaced flanges projecting from said back plate, a cover spaced from said back plate and secured to said flanges at their iree ends, a switch arm having one end attached to said back plate and having a handle portion at its unattached end, a spring interposed between said switch arm and said cover plate for yieldingly urging said switch arm toward said back plate, an electrical connection plug carried by said switch arm, a plurality of electrical connection jacks mounted in said back plate and selectively registerable by said switch arm carried plug, and means for assisting in the accuracy of the registration between said plug and said jack.

2. A radio switch comprising in combination a back plate having a pair of upwardly extending flanges on the lateral edges thereof, a cover plate connecting said flanges, a switch arm pivoted at one end to said back plate and having a handle at its unconnected end, means in said switch arm to which an end of a coaxial cable may be attached, a plurality of means registerable with said switch arm means and mounted in said back plate and to which ends of coaxial cables may be attached, spring means yieldingly urging said switch arm toward said back plate, and means for insuring the accuracy of selective registration between said switch arm means and said back plate means.

3. A switch for use with radio frequency energy circuits, comprising in combination supporting means, connector jack fitting means carried by said supporting means and including an inner conductor insulated from an outer conductor as parts thereof, a switch arm means movably associated with said supporting means, and plug means carried by said switch arm, said plug means including an inner conductor adapted to releasably engage said jack fitting inner conductor and an outer conductor adapted to releasably eng ge said Jack fitting outer conductor.

HENRY D. MORRIS. PHILLIP A. VONADA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,523,903 Sager Jan. 20, 1925 1,534,161 Colestock Apr. 21, 1925 1,819,831 Whalen Aug. 18, 1931 1,902,700 Hadano Mar. 21, 1933 2,344,780 Kram et a1 Mar. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,404 Great Britain, 1896 Jan. 30, 1897 298,182 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1928 

